Chapter 5 Summary

The chapter opens with a lyrical description of Harlem in springtime. Musicians play the blues on every street corner. People passing after a light rain see Joe sitting inside, looking out onto the street and crying. He wipes his tears with red handkerchiefs washed and ironed by Violet. The narrator reveals she is not omnipotent, when she wonders what Violet's next action will be. Perhaps she will set Joe's hair on fire.

Joe remembers seeing Dorcas for the first time, before he knew her name. She is just a beautiful high school-aged girl with creamy skin and straight black hair buying candy at the drugstore. He knows the candy makes her cheeks and forehead break out, but he would not have it any other way. He loves even her imperfections. When he goes to Alice Manfred's to deliver the cosmetics, she was there...